University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE.

To One and All our Author sends to Day,
Who with their Presence honour this his Play,
And says,—but first, he bad me humbly Bow,
As would-be Members at Elections do,
Thank for one Vote, and for another sue.
Too well he knows your Expectations join,
To look for Sterling in each labour'd Line;
But he pretends to no such Payment now,
Whatever he another Year may do;
And who can tell,
To what a Pitch he may his Genius raise,
Wing'd by your Favour, and acquitting Praise?
Tho' he can boast of nothing here to please,
Unless your Smiles stamp Worth upon the Piece;
Nor think to stand the Test, but with a Pit
Resolv'd to lay aside all carping Wit:
Thus he declares, and hopes his Suit to win;
For when pack'd Juries give their Verdict in,
The Bribe, not Cause, absolves the trembling Sinner:
So, let your Pity spare our young Beginner.
'Tis his first Fault, and let him plead his Age
T'arrest his Doom, and mitigate your Rage;
Besides our Author, being prostrate here,
And crying Quarter, should no Danger fear:
He quits Desert, and on no Treaty stands,
But throws himself and Scenes into your Hands;
And if you give them Welcome, he will say,
Your Mercy, not his Merit sav'd the Play.